Does Working Out In A Sweater Burn More Calories? (2024)

If you’re hoping to burn more calories, here’s why working out in a thick sweater might not be the solution…

Swap your sweater for the best workout clothes

Go to your local gym and you’re likely to see a number of people pounding away on the treadmills in more layers than a lasagne. The idea seems to make sense: wearing more clothes (or in, some extreme cases, a bin bag) will make you sweat more and help you lose weight in the process. But is there actually any truth in it?

Does working out in a sweater burn more calories?

The short answer: no. The longer answer is more like not enough to make it worth doing. It’s all because of a simple equation: more sweat loss doesn’t equal more calories burned. Wearing a sweater, bin bag or full-on winter coat will provide more insulation, causing your body to heat up. To counter that, and keep its internal temperature at the desired 37°C, the brain will tell your heart to beat faster to circulate blood more quickly in an attempt to cool you down. It will also send your sweat glands into overdrive to counter the rise in skin temperature.

What it won’t do is dramatically increase the amount of effort required to perform the exercise. That’s the key factor when it comes to burning calories and reducing fat stores. So, whether you’re wearing 3-inch running shorts and a vest or full-on Arctic-approved hiking gear, the energy stores used are going to be roughly the same. What’s more, your body is good at adapting. Which is why, over time, it will get used to working out in colder or warmer climates – so any initial benefits will soon be negated.

That’s not to say that togging up won’t impact what you see on the scales. There might be a reduction in overall mass after a sweaty workout. However, it’s important to point out that only reflects the water lost through sweat, which is temporary.

Finally, it’s important to consider what working out in a sweater will do to your motivation. Sure, it’s nice to feel the burn. But if every workout makes you feel like you’re literally burning up, you’re less likely to want to do it. That’s going to reduce the one thing that will truly help you burn more calories long-term – consistency.

Does Working Out In A Sweater Burn More Calories? (2024)

FAQs

Does Working Out In A Sweater Burn More Calories? ›

While we wish burning more calories was as simple as adding extra layers to your gym fit, sweat rate during exercise has little to no effect on the number of calories you burn during a workout — or the amount of fat you lose as a result.

Is it better to wear a sweater while working out? ›

Wearing a sweatshirt while working out can provide several benefits. It helps to increase body temperature, making your muscles warm and supple for better performance. Sweatshirts also absorb sweat and keep you dry during intense workouts. However, it's important to consider the climate and intensity of your workout.

Is it better to workout with or without a sweater? ›

If it gets to a point where you feel like it's affecting the intensity of your workout then take it off! Wearing a sweater will increase your heart rate and therefore make you burn some more calories, who knows by how much, get a heart rate monitor and see for yourself.

Does wearing a hoodie at the gym help burn calories? ›

While doing cardio in a hoodie, the core temperature, blood flow, and heart rate all rise above normal. The exercise performance will improve in a workout hoodie, and one may even burn more calories than they would in a tank top because of the elevation of the heart rate.

Does working out in the cold burn more fat? ›

Working out in cold weather may burn more calories as your body expends energy to keep warm, research suggests. You may burn more calories working out in cold weather than you would on a warm day, research suggests. However, it may not be an effective strategy to burn fat, according to an exercise scientist.

Will I lose more weight if I wear a sweater when running? ›

While we wish burning more calories was as simple as adding extra layers to your gym fit, sweat rate during exercise has little to no effect on the number of calories you burn during a workout — or the amount of fat you lose as a result.

Does sweat burn fat? ›

Sweating itself does not burn fat. Fat loss occurs when the body burns stored fat for energy, which happens through a calorie deficit created by consuming fewer calories than the body requires. Sweat is simply a byproduct of the body's thermoregulation process and does not have any direct effect on fat loss.

What burns the most calories? ›

According to Healthline, running burns the most calories. A tried and true exercise that requires little more than your legs and the open road, running burns just over 800 calories for a 155-pound adult per hour.

How to burn calories fast? ›

Moderate aerobic exercise includes activities such as brisk walking, biking, swimming and mowing the lawn. Vigorous aerobic exercise includes activities such as running, heavy yardwork and aerobic dancing. Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week.

Will I lose weight if I don't sweat during a workout? ›

You can burn calories and lose weight without sweating. For example, swimming is great for burning calories, but you don't sweat while in the water. You might not sweat during every strength training session. Ultimately, losing weight comes down to calories in and calories out.

Why do people wear sweaters to the gym? ›

Some of the reasons why you might wear a hoodie to the gym include preventing injury and controlling temperatures, elevating your comfort, improving your focus for a distraction-free workout, ensuring hygiene and protection, and staying stylish.

Does sweating increase metabolism? ›

The short answer is no. Perspiring a lot can mean putting a lot into your workout, which requires extra energy. Still, more sweat doesn't equate to more calorie burn, and factors like sweat gland activity play a more significant role in how much sweating happens.

Why do boxers run in hoodies? ›

Wearing a hoodie during HIIT workouts can help keep your body temperature regulated and ensure endurance. For example, wrestlers and boxers commonly wear hoodies during training sessions to maintain optimal warmth and promote better performance.

Does drinking cold water burn calories? ›

Drinking water that's cold may help you burn a few extra calories as you digest it, because your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. But it's not likely that drinking cold water is a powerful jump-start tool for weight loss.

Do you burn calories when you sleep? ›

You burn calories when you sleep as part of your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This is the calories your body needs to burn to do basic functions like breathing and keeping your heart beating and your digestion going. We burn roughly 50 calories an hour while asleep, but the exact number depends on your BMR.

Do you get skinnier in the cold? ›

Research has confirmed that being outdoors in the cold can transform white fat into calorie-burning brown fat. If you're unfamiliar with these terms, white fat is the loose and “jiggly” fat that tends to settle in places like the belly, buttocks and thighs.

Is it better to wear a hoodie at the gym? ›

Hoodies allow you to maintain proper body temperature while lifting weights, which may help improve flexibility and overall performance. For instance, wearing a hoodie during squatting exercises can make it feel more comfortable as your muscles stay warm, ensuring better nutrient delivery.

Why do bodybuilders wear sweaters when working out? ›

For the same reason, athletes and bodybuilders often wear hoodies while working out mostly to get warmed-up faster. Wearing gym hoodies helps you trap the heat inside your body. Not only does this warm up your muscles faster, it also helps them get rid of muscular stiffness and improves overall blood circulation.

Does it matter what clothes you wear when working out? ›

Making sure you don't overheat or freeze during your workout is important for staying safe. Choose sweat-wicking fabrics to keep yourself cool. Cotton should be avoided because it does not dry quickly and can leave you feeling damp and uncomfortable. It's important to consider seasonal changes as well.

Is it better to wear tight clothing when working out? ›

If forced to choose, tight fitting is likely the preferred option for gym wear, with compression clothing offering many benefits to your muscles and joints. However, ensure it fits correctly and isn't too tight. Muscle fatigue and injury can both be reduced by these items of gym wear.

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